uncers 217

Chapter 217 

FAYE 

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Tessa didn’t even try to hide her irritation. She folded her arms, lifted her chin, and practically vibrated with the kind of reckless confidence I’d never 

mastered. 

Sometimes I envied her for it. She could cut someone down with a single sentence, leave them questioning their entire existence, and sleep peacefully afterward. Meanwhile, I had to measure every breath I took. 

Being Luna meant I didn’t have the luxury of letting my temper loose. No matter the provocation, the disrespect, the arrogance thrown in my face–l was expected to remain composed, wise, calm. A soothing presence. A balancing force… a symbol. 

I couldn’t help admiring Tessa’s energy, though. Goddess, I needed lessons from her–lessons on how to shut some people up with style. But that wasn’t my role, and everyone in this room knew it. 

Still, a girl could dream. 

Tessa nudged my arm. “Go on,” she murmured, loud er 

hear. “Before I say something I won’t regret.” 

I almost smiled. Almost. 

I gave her a small nod, inhaled, and began. 

for only me to 

“Thank you,” I told her quietly before raising my gaze to the room. “I understand the reason behind the outburst,” I began, letting my voice carry without force. It was a terrible lie, though. No way I understood why full–grown men of the council would choose to throw tantrums rather than seek a solution. 

“I am also aware,” I continued, “that the steps Alexander took toward North 

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Ridge were rash. And yes, since he did not give a co 

the way he did, it has put everyone here in a difficult position.” 

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ason for acting 

“However,” I said, my voice steadying, “we are not here to relive what he did. 

We are here because of the threat Alpha Patrick made regarding retaliation.” 

I hadn’t even finished the sentence before Mathias cut in… again. 

I felt my jaw tighten for half a second–just half a second–before smoothing my expression again. This was the third time today he’d interrupted me. Third. As if he’d been appointed my handler rather than my subordinate. 

I couldn’t believe his nerve. 

I certainly hadn’t asked him for suggestions yet. I hadn’t even looked in his 

direction. 

But he pushed forward anyway, lips thin, eyes flashing as though he were the only rational person in the room. 

“Exactly,” he said sharply. “Something must be done. We need to send an official statement to North Ridge Alpha Patrick, reversing Alexander’s actions and apologizing.” 

My fingers curled against my sides. I had to remind mys 

This man had no shame. 

unclench them. 

He didn’t even care that I was displeased with his own action; it showed in my eyes… I was sure, in the slight tilt of my head–he ignored it all. He just kept talking as though his thoughts were the only ones worth hearing. 

I waited for him to finish because interrupting him would lower me to his level, and if there was anything I refused to do today, it was that. 

When he finally paused, I inhaled once, slow and deep, and let it go. “Thank you, Mathias,” I said calmly. 

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He blinked, caught off guard. I wasn’t thanking him f 

forbid–I was thanking him for being done. 

“We will do no such thing.” 

The reaction was instant. 

425 Pomt 

Jea–Goddess 

A few council members stiffened. Even Cole’s brows rose slightly, just 

enough to show he hadn’t expected me to reject what they all considered the 

most ‘reasonable‘ option. 

They all thought I’d agree. That I’d fold. That I’d choose the path of least resistance. But I wasn’t okay with that. 

Mathias, though–Mathias looked as though the ground had tilted beneath him. Shock carved through his expression so quickly he forgot to mask it. Then color rose in his face, slow and furious, as though he were physically restraining himself from shouting. 

He looked like he might explode from pure outrage, barely holding it together. 

Tessa’s eyes softened slightly; her voice was calm, almost teasing. “Luna, 

pha you do realize,” she said, tilting her head just a little, “tha Alexander’s absence, you have the power to reverse his pronouncement, right?” 

I blinked at her, letting a small smile tug at my lips. Of course I knew that. That was why I was here, sitting in his chair, presiding over his council. I had the authority to overturn what Alexander had declared. But there was nothing to reverse. The deed had been done, and what the council was suggesting was exactly what Patrick wanted. 

I could feel the weight of the room on me–the council waiting for me to bend, to do the ‘reasonable‘ thing, to undo Alexander’s actions. But I wasn’t going to give Patrick that satisfaction. Not even for a second. Not when the 

<Chapter 217 

consequence of such a move would be to entertai 

to undermine everything Alexander had built. 

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o show weakness, 

Mathias could not contain himself. He leaned forward, hands gripping the table, eyes sharp with impatience. “Do you even understand the risk of what you’re talking about?” he demanded. “I seriously doubt you grasp the full 

implication of what you’re saying. This is why leaving matters in the hands of 

– 

” 

I stopped him cold. The words didn’t even fully form before I cut in, as calm as I could manage. “Be careful with your next word, Mathias.” 

He froze mid–sentence, the sentence dangling like a blade in the air. I didn’t know what he was going to say next. “In the hands of a child,” maybe, “in the hands of an outsider,” or even “in the hands of a woman“-none of those were safe to utter without triggering a side of me I wouldn’t be proud of. And Mathias needed to learn that quickly. I would not tolerate him testing that 

boundary. 

The silence stretched just long enough to let him swallow whatever thought had been forming. His lips pressed into a thin line; he knew he had been shut 

down. 

Cole’s voice broke through the tension, low and careful. “What about the High 

Circle?” 

I looked at him, letting my gaze sweep over the council for just a moment before returning to Cole. “We call Patrick’s bluff,” I said simply, letting the words sink in. “Even if Patrick is foolish enough to take this to the High Circle, he should go ahead. Blood Crescent will be ready to defend itself. There is always a way, and we’ll figure it out. I assure you.” 

A few members shifted in their seats, some nodding in slow realization. She’s right,” Elder Soren muttered, his voice quieter now, carrying a hint of reluctant agreement. “We cannot cower just like that. It won’t look good on 

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us.” 

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Heads began to nod around the room, subtle at first, then more firmly. The tension softened slightly, though I could feel the glares from a few who were still simmering with resentment, unwilling to fully accept my authority yet knowing there was no choice. 

I straightened in my chair, letting my hands rest lightly on the table. I met Cole’s eyes, and he offered the smallest, almost imperceptible nod of approval… but I could tell he had questions. 

The meeting drew to a close. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as murmurs filled the room, people straightening and gathering their notes. 

And then, one by one, they began to leave, the room emptying until only Cole and I remained. 

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